breast support arrangement

ABSTRACT

A breast support arrangement comprises a first breast cup which is connected with a first wing portion, and a second breast cup which is connected with a second wing portion. A connecting member passes from the first breast cup to the second breast cup via the second wing portion then the first wing portion; is moveable relative to each of the first and second wing portions; and is or includes an elastic member to draw the first breast cup towards the second wing portion, the second breast cup towards the first wing portion, and the first and second wing portions towards one another. Each wing portion includes a wing guide to couple the connecting member to the wing portion and guide movement of the connecting member relative to the wing portion. Each wing guide includes a guide body which defines a rigid guide portion to receive the connecting member.

This invention relates to a breast support arrangement.

It is known, for example from international publication number WO 2007/026136, to provide a breast support arrangement, e.g. a brassiere, which is configured such that the movement of one breast is inhibited by the mass of the other breast.

Such breast support arrangements improve the support provided to a wearer's breasts by lifting each breast.

However, one drawback with breast support arrangements of this type is that once adjusted by a wearer to provide a desired degree of support in a static configuration they are unable to adapt as a wearer moves. As a result, such breast support arrangements cannot provide optimal support and comfort through a range of a wearer's movements, as may be encountered during normal use.

There is, therefore, a need for an improved breast support arrangement which obviates the aforementioned difficulty.

According to the invention there is provided a breast support arrangement comprising:

-   -   a first breast cup connected with a first wing portion; and     -   a second breast cup connected with a second wing portion,     -   the first and second breast cups and wing portions being         interconnected by a connecting member,     -   the connecting member:         -   passing from the first breast cup to the second breast cup             via the second wing portion then the first wing portion;         -   being moveable relative to each of the first and second wing             portions; and         -   being or including an elastic member to draw the first             breast cup towards the second wing portion, the second             breast cup towards the first wing portion, and the first and             second wing portions towards one another.

The provision of a connecting member which is able to move relative to each of the first and second wing portions allows respective portions of the connecting member to adjust their length dynamically as a wearer moves, and so enable the breast support arrangement to continually adapt its configuration to provide optimal support and comfort throughout the wearer's range of movements.

Drawing the first breast cup towards the second wing portion and the second breast cup towards the first wing portion allows the breast support arrangement to lift each breast relative to a wearer's shoulders, and so provide a desired degree of support to each breast.

Meanwhile, drawing the first and second wing portions towards one another allows the breast support arrangement the clamp around a wearer's torso to a desired extent, and so improves security by minimising the likelihood of the breast support arrangement becoming dislodged from the wearer's breasts.

Each wing portion may include a wing guide to couple the connecting member to the wing portion and guide the movement of the connecting member relative to the wing portion.

The inclusion of such wing guides enables the breast support arrangement to control the relative orientation of a first connecting member portion lying between the first breast cup and the second wing portion and a third connecting member portion lying between the first and second wing portions, and the relative orientation of a second connecting member portion lying between the second breast cup and the first wing portion and the third connecting member portion, and so control the relative extent to which the breast support arrangement provides support or security.

Optionally each wing guide includes a guide body which defines a guide portion to receive the connecting member. The provision of a guide portion enables the relative extent to which the breast support arrangement provides support or security to be tailored readily during manufacture and assembly of the breast support arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the breast support arrangement further includes a connecting member guide to maintain the relative orientation of a first connecting member portion lying between the first breast cup and the second wing portion and a second connecting member portion lying between the second breast cup and the first wing portion,

The inclusion of a connecting member guide helps to maintain a desired configuration of the connecting member relative to the first and second breast cups and wing portions during, e.g. washing, and so minimises any configuring a wearer needs to make when coming to put the breast support arrangement on.

Preferably the connecting member guide includes a separating portion which lies between the first and second connecting member portions.

The provision of a separating portion helps to ensure that the first and second connecting member portions are able to move readily relative to one another.

Conveniently the connecting member is adjustable in length. Such a feature allows a wearer to adjust a given breast support arrangement to fit her particular body shape.

The connecting member may be adjustable in length towards each end thereof. The ability to adjust the length of the connecting member at either end thereof readily enables a wearer to configure the breast support arrangement in a symmetrical manner.

Optionally the connecting member is selectively separable from at least one of the first breast cup and the second breast cup.

Such a feature facilitates assembly and fitting of the breast support arrangement.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the connecting member is selectively separable into a plurality of separate connecting member elements. The ability to separate the connecting member into a plurality of connecting member elements provides a wearer with a further option for putting the breast support arrangement on.

Preferably the first and second breast cups are selectively separable from one another. Such an arrangement provides a wearer with another option of for putting the breast support arrangement on.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the breast support arrangement is in the form of an article of clothing.

The breast support arrangement may be in the form of one of:

-   -   an article of swimwear;     -   an article of nightwear; and     -   an article of sportswear.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention the breast support arrangement is in the form of a brassiere.

There now follows a brief description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a rear elevational view of a breast support arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from behind of the breast support arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from in front of the breast support arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a wing guide forming part of the breast support arrangement shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a connecting member guide forming part of the breast support arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

A breast support arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention is in the form of a brassiere and is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the breast support arrangement may be in the form of an article of clothing such as an article of swimwear, an article of nightwear, or an article of sportswear.

The brassiere 10 includes a first breast cup 12 which is connected to a first wing portion 14, and a second breast cup 16 which is connected to a second wing portion 18.

In the embodiment shown the first breast cup 12 and the first wing portion 14, and the second breast cup 16 and the second wing portion 18, are each integrally formed from a single fabric panel. In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the respective breast cups 12, 16 and wing portions 14, 18 may be formed from discrete fabric panels which are fastened to one another, e.g. by stitching.

The first and second breast cups 12, 16 and wing portions 14, 18 are interconnected by a connecting member 20.

The connecting member 20 passes from the first breast cup 12 to the second breast cup 16 via the second wing portion 18 then the first wing portion 14, and is moveable relative to each of the first and second wing portions 14, 18.

The connecting member 20 shown is an elastic member 22 which is formed from a conventional woven elastic fabric.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the connecting member 20 may include one or more elastic members 22 within its length.

The connecting member 20 is adjustable in length at each end 24, 26 thereof using a buckle arrangement.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the ends 24, 26 of the connecting member 20 may be separable from the corresponding first and second breast cup 12, 16.

The connecting member 20 may also be separable into a plurality of separate connecting member elements (not shown).

Each wing portion 14, 18 includes a wing guide 28 which couples the connecting member 20 to the respective wing portion 14, 18 and guides the movement of the connecting member 20 relative to the given wing portion 14, 18.

Each wing guide 28 includes a guide body 30 which defines a guide portion 32.

In the embodiment shown the guide portion 32 is an elongate first aperture 34. Other shapes of first aperture 34 are also possible.

Each wing guide 28 also includes a second aperture 36 through which the corresponding wing portion 14, 18 is secured to the wing guide 28.

The first and second apertures 34, 36 are inclined relative to one another.

The first and second apertures 34, 36 may be inclined at an angle lying between parallel and perpendicular to one another.

Preferably the inclination angle A lies between 0° and 40°, and in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the inclination angle A lies between 15° and 25°.

In the embodiment shown the inclination angle A is 20°.

This angle A bisects the angle formed between a first connecting member portion 38 to lying between the first breast cup 12 and the second wing portion 18 and a third connecting member portion 42 lying between the first and second wing portions 14, 18.

The aforementioned inclination angle A also bisects the angle between a second connecting member portion 40 lying between the second breast cup 14 and the first wing portion 14 and the third connecting member portion 42.

As a result any tensile force generated in the connecting member 20 is distributed evenly between the first connecting member portion 38 and the third connecting member portion 42, and evenly between the second connecting member portion 40 and the third connecting member portion 42.

It follows that the brassiere 10 is configured to prioritise evenly between support (as provided by tension in the first and second connecting member portions 38, 40) and brassiere security (as provided by tension in the third connecting member portion 42).

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the angle of inclination of the first aperture 34 to the corresponding wing portion 14, 18 (as defined by the wing guide 28) may be varied in order to alter the distribution of tensile force between each of the first and second connecting member portions 38, 40 and the third connecting member portion 42.

Accordingly it is possible to alter the manner in which the brassiere prioritises between support and brassiere security. For example, increasing the angle of inclination above 20° will result in a greater proportion of any tensile force in the connecting member 20 acting along the first and second connecting member portions 38, 40, thereby resulting in more support, while the proportion of tensile force acting along the third connecting member portion 42 reduces, thereby reducing the force with the brassiere 10 clamps a wearer's torso, i.e. the brassiere security.

The brassiere 10 further includes a connecting member guide 44 to maintain the relative orientation of the first and second connecting member portions 38, 40.

The connecting member guide 44 includes four guide slots 46 arranged as opposed first and second pairs 48, 50.

The first pair 48 receives the first connecting member portion 38 and the second pair receives the second connecting member portion 40.

Together the four guide slots 46 define a separating portion 52 which, in use, lies between the first and second connecting member portions 38, 40.

In the embodiment shown the first and second breast cups 12, 16 are selectively separable from one another via a clasp 54.

In use a wearer may separate the first and second breast cups 12, 16 via the clasp 54 to assist in putting the brassiere 10 on.

Once in place on a wearer's body the wearer may adjust the length of the connecting member 20 so as to generate a desired degree of tensile force within the connecting member 20.

The tensile force draws the first breast cup 12 towards the second wing portion 16 and the second breast cup 14 towards the first wing portion 16. In this way each of the breast cups 12, 16 is drawn upwards and so acts to lift each breast and thereby provide support to the breasts.

Meanwhile the tensile force in the connecting member 20 draws the first and second wing portions 14, 18 towards one another. In this way each of the breast cups 12, 16 is pulled into engagement with the wearer's breasts to provide security.

The brassiere 10 shown is configured to substantially equally distribute the tensile force in the connecting member 20 between the first connecting member portion 38 and the third connecting member portion 42, and between the second connecting member portion 40 and the third connecting member portion 42, so as to provide equal priority to brassiere support and security.

As a wearer moves the connecting member 20 is able to move relative to each of the wing guides 28 to allow the relative length of each of the first, second, and third connecting member portions 38, 40, 42 to change. This enables the brassiere to dynamically adjust its configuration, to accommodate the changes in body position, and so continue to provide optimal support and comfort.

In the meantime the wing guides 28 maintain the relative orientation of the first, second, and third connecting member portions 38, 40, 42 so as to maintain the aforementioned predetermined, e.g. even, distribution of tensile force between brassiere support and security.

The connecting member guide 44 further assists in maintaining the relative orientation of the first, second, and third connecting member portions 38, 40, 42. 

1. A breast support arrangement comprising: a first breast cup connected with a first wing portion; and a second breast cup connected with a second wing portion, the first and second breast cups and wing portions being interconnected by a connecting member, the connecting member: passing from the first breast cup to the second breast cup via the second wing portion then the first wing portion; and being moveable relative to each of the first and second wing portions; being or including an elastic member to draw the first breast cup towards the second wing portion, the second breast cup towards the first wing portion, and the first and second wing portions towards one another; each wing portion including a wing guide to couple the connecting member to the wing portion and guide movement of the connecting member relative to the wing portion, and each wing guide including a guide body which defines a rigid guide portion to receive the connection member.
 2. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising a connecting member guide to maintain the relative orientation of a first connecting member portion lying between the first breast cup and the second wing portion and a second connecting member portion lying between the second breast cup and the first wing portion. 3-14. (canceled)
 15. A breast support arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the connecting member guide includes a separating portion which lies between the first and second connecting member portions.
 16. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the connecting member is adjustable in length.
 17. A breast support arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the connecting member is adjustable in length towards each end thereof.
 18. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the connecting member is selectively separable from at least one of the first breast cup and the second breast cup.
 19. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the connecting member is selectively separable into a plurality of separate connecting member elements.
 20. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first and second breast cups are selectively separable from one another.
 21. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 in the form of an article of clothing.
 22. A breast support arrangement according to claim 21 in the form of one of: an article of swimwear; an article of nightwear; and an article of sportswear.
 23. A breast support arrangement according to claim 1 in the form of a brassiere. 